Remembering Judie Dunken: A Gem in the Pearl
As a founding board member of the Northwest Community Conservancy (NWCC), Judie worked tirelessly to make the Pearl safer and more livable. She helped build NWCC with the whole community’s best interests at heart, and I am honored to carry that vision forward.
We’ve gathered a few reflections from those who knew her well, along with some of Judie’s own thoughts on giving back and on the Pearl she loved. We will miss her positive spirit, her roll-up-your-sleeves approach, and her fierce commitment to this community.
PEARL DISTRICT, LET’S GET CLEAN!
NWCC Is Making It Happen — Curb-to-Curb Street Cleaning Is Coming!
Pearl District, this is what happens when we speak up, stay persistent, and work together!
For the past few years, NWCC has been working directly with PBOT’s street cleaning leadership to push for a deeper clean of our neighborhood. Despite ongoing budget challenges, we’ve kept the conversation going, advocated for the Pearl, and worked to get this on the schedule.
Pearl District Outreach Update: September 2026
By Chase McPherson, Executive Director, Northwest Community Conservancy
September brought some of the best weather the Pearl has seen in a while: cooler days and mild nights. That shift showed up on the street, too. Requests for water and medical assistance dropped, while service connections held steady or rose. Most encouraging of all, more people were open to hearing about shelter and support.
Here's what our Humanitarian Team saw last month, what's changing in the neighborhood, and how you can help.
Homeless Solutions Coalition (HSC) Expert Panel Discussion and Multnomah County Chair Candidate Forum
A Community Opportunity to Learn and Listen
Understanding the Challenge: A Community Conversation on Houselessness in Multnomah County
NWCC works with people experiencing houselessness every day, and we see firsthand how complicated these issues can be. We also believe that having an informed community is an important part of finding meaningful solutions.
That’s why we’re glad to see the Homeless Solutions Coalition (HSC) hosting an Expert Panel Discussion focused on helping community members better understand the challenges facing Multnomah County, the people experiencing houselessness, and the systems and service providers working to address these issues.
Parks Update: New Fall Hours, Outreach Resources & Community Partnership
Fields Park has continued to do well since reopening following the Centennial Mills demolition and its re-opening this summer from construction projects.
Tanner Springs and Jamison Square continue to be areas where our outreach team regularly interacts with people and provides resources. It is important to remember that Portland’s parks are public spaces, and unless someone is engaging in illegal activity or violating park rules, simply sleeping in a park is not illegal.
Centennial Mills Demolition Update
Since the Centennial Mills warehouse caught fire on August second, the City of Portland has been working with the property owner to remove the building safely. Starting Monday, August 17th, contractors are scheduled to begin demolishing the building.
Stories from the Streets: What Effective Humanitarian Outreach Looks Like
Stories from the Streets
The man lying across from the Fields Bar and Grill wasn't looking for help. Pearl Patrol had tried. Street Response had tried. But when Brendan from our NWCC Humanitarian OutreachTeam sat down beside him, something shifted.
NWCC Safety Summit: Building a Safer Pearl District Together
On Wednesday, July 15th, NWCC hosted the first of what we hope will be many Member Information Summits. This inaugural session focused on safety for multi-family, provided an opportunity to discuss how Echelon patrols the neighborhood, what types of situations the NWCC Hotline can assist with, and what our team can and cannot do in public spaces.
Lower Costs, More Opportunities: Portland's Street Activation Fee Waiver Program
The City has launched the Street Activation Fee Waiver Program. If you operate a sidewalk café within the I-405 loop, you could save over $800 in fees. Read on to see if you qualify, and how to apply.
NWCC Security Summit: Building a Safer Pearl District Together
On Wednesday, July 15th, NWCC hosted the first of what we hope will be many Member Information Summits. This inaugural session focused on Security for Multi-Family, provided an opportunity to discuss how Echelon patrols the neighborhood, what types of situations the NWCC Hotline can assist with, and what our team can and cannot do in public spaces.
Brendan Jamieson Joins the NWCC Outreach Team Serving Portland's Pearl District
A trusted new face focused on NWCC’s Humanitarian efforts.
The Northwest Community Conservancy (NWCC) is proud to welcome Brendan Jamieson to its growing Outreach Team. Over the past month, Brendan has been on the streets of Portland's Pearl District, with a focus on weekend mornings and evenings—the hours when community needs often peak and resources are hardest to find.
Safer Portland Ballot Initiative
A proposed ballot initiative would direct a portion of Portland Clean Energy Fund surplus revenues — now nearly $200 million annually — toward hiring police officers, reducing emergency response times, and expanding community mental health crisis response. Here's what you need to know and how to sign the petition.
Help Shape Multnomah County's New Website
NWCC is hosting a community feedback session in the Pearl District — participants receive a $75 gift card.
Multnomah County is currently working on a transformation of its website, multco.us, with the goal of making information, services, and resources easier for community members to find and use.
Acknowledging Sacrifice, Recognizing Current Hardships: Veteran Housing Instability
“This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. As we reflect on their sacrifice, let’s also remember the veterans in our community who may still need support, connection, housing, or care. Helping our veterans is one small way we can continue to honor their service beyond just one day. Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed.”
— Chase McPherson, Executive Director, NWCC
NW Northrup Shelter Poised to Close: A Community Update from NWCC
A Message from Executive Director Chase McPherson
Northwest Portland is facing another pivotal moment in how our community responds to homelessness, public safety, and shared well-being. As the City of Portland moves forward with the potential closure of the NW Northrup overnight shelter, it's critical that residents and stakeholders stay informed — and engaged.
At Northwest Community Conservancy (NWCC), we believe lasting solutions to homelessness require accountability, collaboration, and public input. Here's what we know right now, along with concrete ways you can make your voice heard during this important budget process.
Senator Reynolds to Meet with NW Community Regarding Harm Reduction and Syringe Services
Senator Reynolds, your state district representative, is hosting a Town Hall on Harm Reduction and Syringe Services. The Pearl District has recently seen an uptick in the pop-up model of syringe distribution. Our neighbors in the Stadium District have experienced firsthand some of the challenges associated with this approach.
Free Graffiti Removal by the City of Portland
Graffiti can show up overnight and make a property feel neglected. The City of Portland offers free graffiti removal for some properties, and NWCC’s Humanitarian Team is helping building owners, small businesses, and residents take advantage of it.
As our team patrols the district, they report graffiti they see to the city so it can be cleaned up as quickly as possible. When a property has a current approval form on file, the city can usually move much faster because permission is already in place.
Pearl District Bike Thief "Red Beard" Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison
Daniel Gallagher, known throughout Portland's Pearl District as "Red Beard," was sentenced this week to 5 years and 5 months in prison, plus 3 years of post-prison supervision, for a years-long pattern of bike theft and residential burglary that left dozens of neighbors feeling violated and unsafe in their own buildings. For the Pearl District community, it is a hard-won moment of accountability, and a demonstration of what organized, persistent civic engagement can accomplish.
Meet Your Small Business Resource Team
Get free, one-on-one business support in the Pearl District! Join the Portland Office of Small Business on March 18 for drop-in help with permits, city resources, and more.